Preparation of Al nanocrystals with different morphology by confined arc plasma

Aluminium nanocrystals with different morphology were prepared in inert gas by confined arc plasma,and the influence of technologic parameters on morphology of the product were studied.The aluminium nanocrystalline powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM) and the corresponding selected-area electron diffraction(SAED),X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry(XEDS).The mechanism of reaction was discussed.The experimental results show that the process parameters such as the gas pressure,the rate of air flow and reaction time influence the shape of nanocrystals.Different nanocrystals with various morphology can be obtained by controlling the process parameters.